State DOT Plans To Increase Ferry Fares

Two May Meetings Will Address Proposal

April 08, 2013|By ERIK HESSELBERG, Special to The Courant, The Hartford Courant

The tradition of crossing the Connecticut River aboard one of the state's two historic ferries will become more costly this summer.

The state Department of Transportation has announced plans to double fares on both the Glastonbury-Rocky Hill and the Chester-Hadylme ferries starting July 1. The proposed increase would see fares go from the current $3 to $6 for vehicles and from $1 to $2 for walk-on passengers and bicyclists. For commuters, the price of the Discount Coupon Book, which now costs $40 for a book of 20 coupon tickets, will be increased to $80.

"We want to see both these ferries remain open," said DOT spokesman Kevin J. Nursick. "But we have to make them more economically viable."

The department has scheduled two public meetings next month to get input on the proposed fare hikes. The first will take place May 20 at the Rocky Hill Community Center, Room 1; the second is being held May 22 at the Chester Meeting House. Both meetings start at 6:30 p.m.

Nursick said fares for the ferries have not increased for 10 years, while operating expenses continue to rise. Each ferry loses approximately $350,000 annually, Nursick said.

"We are committed to maintaining the ferry operations serving tourists, commuters, pedestrians and bicyclists alike," DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said in a statement. "Raising the fares has been carefully considered. Fare increases are never popular, but costs for operating the ferries have consistently been significantly greater than passenger revenues, resulting in a state subsidy of $651,000 in the most recent fiscal year.

Nursick said that for 2013, the Chester-Hadlyme ferry carried 37,811 vehicles across the river during its April to November season; Glastonbury-Rocky Hill carried 16,214 cars during the same period.

A proposal to eliminate the ferries two years ago drew outcries from residents along the river, with thousands signing a petition to keep them open.

The Rocky-Hill ferry was established in 1655, making it the nation's oldest ferry still in use. The Chester-Hadlyme ferry has been in operation since before the American Revolution.